"American Idol" producer FremantleMedia Enterprises today named Keith Hindle (left) regional chief executive for the Americas.

Hindle previously served as executive vice president of licensing for FME Americas, where he managed branded entertainment, interactive, consumer products and live entertainment ventures, such as the ubiquitous Coke and Ford sponsorships on "American Idol." He also launched FME's digital content channel, Atomic Wedgie.

In his new role, Hindle will develop and implement FME's strategy in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Latin American and the Caribbean. His appointment is part of FME's "stategic shift towards a more regional focus," the company said.

"FME has an unparalleled ability to roll out brands both internationally, and across multiple platforms locally," Hindle said. "This is the key capability we offer for both our own global brands like Idol, X Factor and Got Talent, as well as the third party brands we represent. Bringing together first rate partners, which may be advertisers, producers or rights holders, is a key focus for us and one I am keen to expand further."

FME has recently named a number of new executives, including appointing Shingo Ishiyama, president of FremantleMedia Japan; Carl Zuzarte , managing director of FremantleMedia Indonesia; Donna Redier Linsk, COO of FremantleMedia North America; and Rob Clark, president of Worldwide Entertainment for FremantleMedia.

The company plans to announce two more CEO appointments for the Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia Pacific markets soon.

Full release after the jump

FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES APPOINTS KEITH HINDLE AS REGIONAL CEO FOR THE AMERICAS

London, 20 May 2009: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), the commercial and brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, announces the appointment of Keith Hindle as CEO for the Americas as part of its strategic shift towards a more regional focus, creating a structure that will allow FME to move the business forward across its international program distribution, home entertainment, licensing and new media activities.

As part of this new role, Keith Hindle will develop, set and implement a strategy for FME's Americas' businesses, which include operations in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Latin America and the Caribbean. Reporting directly to David Ellender, Global CEO of FremantleMedia Enterprises, Keith will work to increase FremantleMedia's position in the Americas as a highly creative, successful production rights expansion company, as well as further FME's position within distribution and development.

"Keith is an exceptional leader with a track record that demonstrates excellent creative management and business skills. His vision and understanding of the world of rights expansion will help build and develop a more diversified and regional business strategy in the Americas," commented David Ellender, Global CEO, FremantleMedia Enterprises.

"This appointment is a very positive progression for FME. As we continue to grow as a business, the pace and evolution of world markets has become increasingly fragmented. We're therefore taking active steps to ensure we offer our clients the strongest possible local expertise, remaining a one-stop-shop for all their needs. At the same we will continue to leverage the wider global network of one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, FremantleMedia," he said.

Keith Hindle, CEO, FME Americas said, "FME has an unparalleled ability to roll out brands both internationally, and across multiple platforms locally. This is the key capability we offer for both our own global brands like Idol, X Factor and Got Talent, as well as the third party brands we represent. Bringing together first rate partners, which may be advertisers, producers or rights holders, is a key focus for us and one I am keen to expand further."

Prior to his new role, Keith served as Executive Vice President Licensing, FME Americas where he supervised the branded entertainment, interactive, consumer products and live entertainment activities of FremantleMedia brands in the Americas, including the Coke, Ford, AT&T and Apple sponsorship of American Idol. Keith and his team also helped grow the company's online and telephony activities, which include brands such as The Price is Right and Family Feud and launched the company's live event business and digital content channel, Atomic Wedgie. Prior to joining FME, Keith held various positions at Time Warner, Unilever and Shell Oil.

The promotion of Keith Hindle to CEO, FME Americas also comes as FremantleMedia continues its overall investment into the future of its business and talent through various appointments which have recently included: Shingo Ishiyama as President of FremantleMedia Japan, Carl Zuzarte as Managing Director of FremantleMedia Indonesia, Donna Redier Linsk as COO of FremantleMedia North America, and Rob Clark as President of Worldwide Entertainment, FremantleMedia.

FME will shortly announce Regional CEO appointments for EMEA and Asia Pacific.